In the top of the fourth, center fielder Chris Alleyne singled through the right side. The Big Ten leader in steals then stole second base and later advanced to third on a ground out. With two outs and Alleyne on third, first baseman Maxwell Costes stepped up to the batter’s box.
With a chance to get the tying run home, Costes struck out looking, ending the inning. That was the story for Maryland all evening as they came up empty-handed at the plate in a 2-0 loss to Illinois.
Friday’s contest quickly turned into a pitcher’s duel between two elite throwers with hits coming few and far between for both teams.